WhatsApp has been gradually refreshing its visual identity with a new design language called Liquid Glass, which applies a frosted glass effect to various interface elements. After slowly rolling out this update to the main Chats screen, Meta is now turning its attention to the in-chat interface. This Q&A breaks down everything you need to know about the upcoming changes.
What exactly is the Liquid Glass design?
Liquid Glass is a modern UI trend that mimics the look of frosted or etched glass. In WhatsApp, this means replacing solid backgrounds with translucent, blurry surfaces that let underlying colors and gradients peek through. Elements like chat bubbles, navigation bars, and headers will gain a semi-transparent appearance with soft highlights and subtle reflections. The goal is to create a sense of depth and lightness, making the interface feel airy and contemporary. WhatsApp’s implementation appears to use a combination of backdrop blur, gradients, and dynamic lighting effects that shift based on the user’s wallpaper or theme. This design language has been compared to Apple’s glassmorphism style and is intended to modernize the app without sacrificing readability. The effect is especially noticeable on the main Chats screen, where list items now have a cloudy, layered look. For the in-chat interface, similar principles will apply, giving individual conversations a more immersive and visually pleasing environment.
Why is WhatsApp taking so long to roll out Liquid Glass?
WhatsApp has a reputation for cautious updates, especially with visual overhauls. The slow rollout of Liquid Glass is likely due to several factors. First, the feature is being tested incrementally across different user groups and device types, ensuring stability and performance. Since the glass effect relies on real-time blur and transparency, it can be resource-intensive on older phones, so Meta needs to optimize rendering without causing lag or battery drain. Second, WhatsApp serves over two billion users globally, so any design change must be carefully validated across various screen sizes, Android versions, and hardware capabilities. The company also tends to A/B test new designs extensively before a wide release. Additionally, the gradual approach allows user feedback to shape final adjustments. For example, early testers might see minor tweaks in opacity or color before the final version arrives. The glacial pace, while frustrating for some, reflects WhatsApp’s priority on reliability over speed.
What changes are coming to the in-chat interface with Liquid Glass?
When Liquid Glass reaches the in-chat interface, users can expect several visual enhancements. The most prominent change will be to chat bubbles: instead of solid green or gray backgrounds, bubbles will feature a translucent, frosted appearance that blends with the chat background. The text input bar, attachment button, and emoji picker are also likely to adopt a glass-like look with soft borders and subtle shadows. The top header showing the contact name and status may become semi-transparent, letting the wallpaper show through slightly. Additionally, message timestamps, read receipts, and other meta information might be overlaid on glassy panels. The overall effect should make conversations feel more layered and dynamic, especially on devices with vibrant wallpapers. Meta may also introduce new gradient effects for the background behind messages, creating a subtle color shift as you scroll. These changes aim to make the chatting experience feel fresher and more in line with modern design standards, while preserving the simplicity WhatsApp is known for.
How does the Liquid Glass update differ between the main Chats screen and the in-chat interface?
The main Chats screen update focuses on list items—each conversation row gets a frosted glass background with rounded corners, while the overall list background may show a blurred version of the user’s wallpaper. The navigation bar at the bottom also turns translucent. On the other hand, the in-chat interface applies the glass effect to individual chat elements: message bubbles, the input area, and the contact header. The chat background itself might receive a subtle blur or gradient overlay. Essentially, the main screen uses Liquid Glass to unify the list view, while the in-chat page uses it to enhance the conversation space. Both aim for consistency, but the in-chat version requires more careful handling because text legibility and contrast are critical. WhatsApp will likely adjust the blur intensity and text shadowing to ensure that messages remain easy to read against varying wallpaper colors. The two updates are being rolled out separately, with the main screen leading the way as a testing ground before the more complex in-chat redesign goes live.
When can users expect to see Liquid Glass in their in-chat interface?
As of now, there is no official release date from Meta. The Liquid Glass design for the main Chats screen began appearing in beta versions in mid-2024, but its rollout has been slow and sporadic. The in-chat version is still in early development, according to internal builds and code sightings. Historically, WhatsApp takes several months to move a feature from beta to stable release, and the in-chat interface may follow a similar timeline. Users enrolled in the Google Play Beta program or TestFlight for iOS are most likely to see it first. However, even beta testers might not get immediate access, as the feature could be hidden behind server-side flags. Given the complexity of the glass effect across different devices, a stable launch might occur in late 2025 or early 2026. Until then, users can watch for teardowns on sites like WABetaInfo or official WhatsApp channels for updates. Patience is key—good design takes time, especially for an app of this scale.
Will Liquid Glass affect performance or usability on older devices?
Performance impact is a valid concern because Liquid Glass relies on real-time blur and transparency effects, which can strain GPU resources. On flagship or mid-range phones from recent years, the effect should run smoothly thanks to modern processors and optimized software. However, on older or budget devices with weaker GPUs and less RAM, the continuous blurring might cause stuttering or increased battery drain. To mitigate this, WhatsApp is likely to implement adaptive rendering—reducing the blur quality or disabling the effect entirely on devices that can’t handle it. The company may also allow users to opt out of visual effects in accessibility settings. Usability is another consideration: frosted glass can sometimes reduce text contrast if not properly shaded. WhatsApp will need to ensure that messages remain legible regardless of the background. Based on early screenshots, the design team appears to be using dark text shadows and high-opacity bubbles to maintain readability. Overall, while older hardware may see some trade-offs, WhatsApp’s track record suggests they will prioritize a smooth experience for all users.